The Permanent Secretary for Finance, Shiri Gounder, clarified that superannuation payments to the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were directly processed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) through manual telegraphic transfers, as these payments were for offshore accounts.
During his testimony at a tribunal examining the situation surrounding the DPP, Gounder noted that the payments were executed independently by the ODPP, without any participation from the Ministry of Finance. He referenced a specific clause in the DPP’s employment contract that allows the officer discretion in continuing superannuation contributions, either to home superannuation funds, the local scheme under the Fijian National Provident Fund (FNPF), or another fund of their choice.
Gounder explained that while the Ministry of Finance is responsible for disbursing the DPP’s salary according to the contractual terms established between the DPP and the President, all salary payments and related allowances for civil servants are managed through the Government’s payroll system, adhering to the mandated FNPF contribution rates. He also pointed out that the DPP possesses the authority to manage any funds allocated by Parliament independently.
The tribunal proceedings have been postponed to a future date for further examination.
This situation sheds light on the complexities surrounding public finance management and the independence of various government bodies in managing their financial obligations. The open investigation emphasizes the commitment to transparency and accountability in the public sector, which can foster greater trust in governmental processes moving forward.
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